Thoughts for the Day

Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah’—not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, ‘This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!’ When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.

(Church in Wales Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Jesus has told the disciples of his approaching death and they have been scandalised, and cannot imagine a time without him. After three years they know of his power and authority, they have seen the miracles he has performed, and Peter has declared that he is the Messiah, the Son of God. But they are still not seeing the whole picture. In taking Peter, James, and John, with him up the mountain, Jesus lifts the curtain to show the glory that he had before coming to earth as a man.

Jesus begins to pray but as happens the night before his death the disciples are sleepy, although though they do see him in his full glory with Moses and Elijah, and the experience is reinforced by a voice confirming Jesus' as God's Chosen One. The point of the whole exercise has been to reinforce the disciples' faith and bolster them for the days ahead when Jesus will leave them.

We are accustomed to seeing paintings that show Jesus and the Saints with a halo around their head, to indicate their glory, their closeness to God, and their spiritual maturity. Sometimes we also know someone who exudes an inner beauty that comes from spending much time with God in prayer. May we too grow closer to Him and begin to reflect this in our life and in our appearance.

Heavenly Father,
all too often we get bogged down
in our everyday life
and forget to spend time with You.
Help us to remember that
we can only get to know You
when we set aside quality space
for quiet contemplation.
May our prayers not just be
requests for help,
but include times of silence
to listen to You.
Amen.